RECRUITING: Large group visits for Iron Bowl

Andrew BoneRecruiting analyst

Published: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 12:02 a.m.

The University of Alabama hosted plenty of elite prospects in Tuscaloosa on Saturday for the annual rivalry game against between the Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers. Players also committed to other schools wanted a closer look at the defending national champions.

Several in-state players have visited the Capstone more than once this fall, including Dee Liner, a five-star defensive end and Auburn commitment from Muscle Shoals High School; Johnathan Ford, a three-star running back and Vanderbilt commitment from New Hope; and Jonathan Cook, a three-star cornerback and Nebraska commitment from Spanish Fort.

Liner did not comment on the situation on the Plains after Auburn's firing of coach Gene Chizik, or his interest in Alabama. A Tide commitment in the class of 2014, who was at the game Saturday, thinks Liner might flip his decision.

“I didn't hang out with anybody other than Dee Liner,” Bo Scarbrough, a four-star running back from Northridge, told The Tuscaloosa News. “We just talked about football. They're in the state semifinals. I kind of think he's going to come to Alabama. He's going to mostly Alabama games, and he's committed to another school.”

Jason Smith, a four-star athlete from McGill-Toolen in Mobile, made his second visit of the season to Alabama. The Auburn commitment plans to return for an official visit.

“The visit was good,” Smith said. “It was my first time bringing my whole family to Alabama. They liked it. My mom's still in love with Auburn, though. I am going to try to make her happy. I had gone up earlier in the year for the Ole Miss game. The coaches said they were glad to see me. They want me to be a part of Alabama football. Coach Saban said they would have a special package just for me. They want to use me like the guy at Texas A&M (Johnny Manziel). He said they need someone in their offense like me.”

Marquez White, a three-star cornerback and Florida State commitment from Northview High in Dothan, was in Tuscaloosa to experience the in-state rivalry.

“The visit went really good,” White said. “It was my first game. I have never been to an Alabama game before. I just fell in love with it all. It was a good game, but it really wasn't. Even for as cold as it was out there, the atmosphere was really intense. What stood out to me was how all the Alabama players stuck together. The walk-ons were with the starters. Everyone was just together. You can tell they all work really hard as a team.”

Marlon Humphrey, a 2014 five-star cornerback from Hoover, is a frequent visitor to UA. Todd Kelly, a 2014 four-star safety from The Webb School in Knoxville, Tenn., was also on campus. Kelly has been to Tuscaloosa several times. His father played for Tennessee and his sister is a cheerleader at Alabama.

“Down there everyone knows it is all about winning,” Kelly told Rivals.com. “They focus on the SEC championship, but mostly winning the national championship. Them winning the SEC championship is expected every year; that's how they view it. That's one thing I absolutely notice. Me and Marlon Humphrey are pretty cool. Every time I go down there I always see him there, so we have gotten to be pretty good friends.”

Plenty of in-state uncommitted 2014 prospects were unofficial visitors, including Racean Thomas, a four-star running back from Oxford; E.J. Moss, a four-star athlete from Ashville; Ronnie Clark, a four-star safety from Calera; Chris Knowles, a wide receiver from McGill-Toolen; and T.J. Posey, a linebacker from Gadsden City.

The Tide staff also welcomed several out-of-state targets, including Cameron Robinson, a four-star offensive tackle from West Monroe High School in Louisiana. Robinson is one of the Tide's top lineman prospects in the class of 2014.

“The visit was fun,” Robinson said. “I was able to speak with some of the coaches and watch the game. The atmosphere was great. They have a great fan base.

“The game wasn't too close. I thought Alabama was going to win, but not as big as they did. It's a rivalry. They got on them early. They didn't let up. I said before, Alabama has hands-down best offensive line in the nation. They didn't disappoint. They took care of business.”

Kain Daub, a four-star linebacker and former LSU commitment from Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville, Fla., made his first visit to Tuscaloosa. Daub has high interest in the Tide. He is a teammate of DeMarcus Walker, who is a UA commitment in the class of 2013.

Other top underclassmen included Andy Bauer, a four-star offensive tackle and Missouri commitment from DeSmet High School in St. Louis; Nick Chubb, a four-star running back from Cedartown, Ga.; Donell Stanley, a four-star offensive tackle from Latta, S.C.; J.C. Hassenauer, a center from East Ridge High School in Woodbury, Minn.; Ross Pierschbacher, a four-star offensive tackle from Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Foster Sawyer, a quarterback from All Saints Episcopal School in Fort Worth, Texas.

TideSports.com has complete daily coverage of more high school players talking about the Iron Bowl, the SEC Championship Game and other players who are considering flipping their commitment to Alabama.

Join TideSports.com this week for three online chat sessions: Cecil Hurt on Tuesday from 5-6 p.m; Andrew Bone on Wednesday from 6-7 p.m. and Chase Goodbread on Thursday from 8-9 p.m.

Reach Andrew Bone at andrew@tidesports.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewJBone

<p>The University of Alabama hosted plenty of elite prospects in Tuscaloosa on Saturday for the annual rivalry game against between the Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers. Players also committed to other schools wanted a closer look at the defending national champions.</p><p>Several in-state players have visited the Capstone more than once this fall, including Dee Liner, a five-star defensive end and Auburn commitment from Muscle Shoals High School; Johnathan Ford, a three-star running back and Vanderbilt commitment from New Hope; and Jonathan Cook, a three-star cornerback and Nebraska commitment from Spanish Fort. </p><p>Liner did not comment on the situation on the Plains after Auburn's firing of coach Gene Chizik, or his interest in Alabama. A Tide commitment in the class of 2014, who was at the game Saturday, thinks Liner might flip his decision. </p><p>“I didn't hang out with anybody other than Dee Liner,” Bo Scarbrough, a four-star running back from Northridge, told The Tuscaloosa News. “We just talked about football. They're in the state semifinals. I kind of think he's going to come to Alabama. He's going to mostly Alabama games, and he's committed to another school.” </p><p>Jason Smith, a four-star athlete from McGill-Toolen in Mobile, made his second visit of the season to Alabama. The Auburn commitment plans to return for an official visit. </p><p>“The visit was good,” Smith said. “It was my first time bringing my whole family to Alabama. They liked it. My mom's still in love with Auburn, though. I am going to try to make her happy. I had gone up earlier in the year for the Ole Miss game. The coaches said they were glad to see me. They want me to be a part of Alabama football. Coach Saban said they would have a special package just for me. They want to use me like the guy at Texas A&M (Johnny Manziel). He said they need someone in their offense like me.” </p><p>Marquez White, a three-star cornerback and Florida State commitment from Northview High in Dothan, was in Tuscaloosa to experience the in-state rivalry.</p><p>“The visit went really good,” White said. “It was my first game. I have never been to an Alabama game before. I just fell in love with it all. It was a good game, but it really wasn't. Even for as cold as it was out there, the atmosphere was really intense. What stood out to me was how all the Alabama players stuck together. The walk-ons were with the starters. Everyone was just together. You can tell they all work really hard as a team.” </p><p>Marlon Humphrey, a 2014 five-star cornerback from Hoover, is a frequent visitor to UA. Todd Kelly, a 2014 four-star safety from The Webb School in Knoxville, Tenn., was also on campus. Kelly has been to Tuscaloosa several times. His father played for Tennessee and his sister is a cheerleader at Alabama. </p><p>“Down there everyone knows it is all about winning,” Kelly told Rivals.com. “They focus on the SEC championship, but mostly winning the national championship. Them winning the SEC championship is expected every year; that's how they view it. That's one thing I absolutely notice. Me and Marlon Humphrey are pretty cool. Every time I go down there I always see him there, so we have gotten to be pretty good friends.” </p><p>Plenty of in-state uncommitted 2014 prospects were unofficial visitors, including Racean Thomas, a four-star running back from Oxford; E.J. Moss, a four-star athlete from Ashville; Ronnie Clark, a four-star safety from Calera; Chris Knowles, a wide receiver from McGill-Toolen; and T.J. Posey, a linebacker from Gadsden City. </p><p>The Tide staff also welcomed several out-of-state targets, including Cameron Robinson, a four-star offensive tackle from West Monroe High School in Louisiana. Robinson is one of the Tide's top lineman prospects in the class of 2014. </p><p>“The visit was fun,” Robinson said. “I was able to speak with some of the coaches and watch the game. The atmosphere was great. They have a great fan base. </p><p>“The game wasn't too close. I thought Alabama was going to win, but not as big as they did. It's a rivalry. They got on them early. They didn't let up. I said before, Alabama has hands-down best offensive line in the nation. They didn't disappoint. They took care of business.” </p><p>Kain Daub, a four-star linebacker and former LSU commitment from Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville, Fla., made his first visit to Tuscaloosa. Daub has high interest in the Tide. He is a teammate of DeMarcus Walker, who is a UA commitment in the class of 2013. </p><p>Other top underclassmen included Andy Bauer, a four-star offensive tackle and Missouri commitment from DeSmet High School in St. Louis; Nick Chubb, a four-star running back from Cedartown, Ga.; Donell Stanley, a four-star offensive tackle from Latta, S.C.; J.C. Hassenauer, a center from East Ridge High School in Woodbury, Minn.; Ross Pierschbacher, a four-star offensive tackle from Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Foster Sawyer, a quarterback from All Saints Episcopal School in Fort Worth, Texas. </p><p>TideSports.com has complete daily coverage of more high school players talking about the Iron Bowl, the SEC Championship Game and other players who are considering flipping their commitment to Alabama.</p><p>Join TideSports.com this week for three online chat sessions: Cecil Hurt on Tuesday from 5-6 p.m; Andrew Bone on Wednesday from 6-7 p.m. and Chase Goodbread on Thursday from 8-9 p.m.</p><p>Reach Andrew Bone at andrew@tidesports.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewJBone</p><p><a href=http://alabama.rivals.com>For more recruiting coverage, see TideSports.com.</a></p><p><a href="http://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=885&CID=1419830"><img src="http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/1034/1308039.jpg" border=0></a></p>